The Art of the Coup

Currently our local government is in chaos. As a result of our recent recall election 3 city commissioners including the Mayor and the Mayor Pro-Tem have been removed from office only leaving two seated commissioners. Since there has to be three commissioners to have a quorum to make any official city decisions, we are effectively without a city government until a special election can be held to replace the ousted commissioners.

A few days after the results of the recall election were finalized some other city employees and I were having a discussion as to the ramifications of the election when I said this would be the perfect time to instigate a coup. They were confused as to what I went so I explained.

When there is an a weak, ineffectual government or anarchy the void created needs to be filled. This is the time for those in the right positions with the right connections to effectively over throw or seize control of the government.

I explained that the first thing to be done to accomplish a successful coup by plotters is to gain the allegiance/support of the military. In a country this is the army/national guard, in a city or town it would be the police. Once the military is on board you then arrest any political opponents and other government officials. In a public venue you execute the political opponents and those officials who have come out openly against the coup in front of those other government officials who have been arrested. This eliminates potential threats to power and shows surviving officials that non compliance is not an option thereby assuring their allegiance. Once this has been done the overthrowing party then puts its people at the head of every department at the same time contacting neighboring governments informing them that there has been a change in the government and demand them to recognize the new one.

With the change in power complete, the new leaders them go about assuring the public that there will be peace, security and prosperity. If the populace in general is in favor of the change things usually return to normal. However history has shown that what usually happens is the new power begins to exploit the area's resources and people, rounding up "undesirables", confiscating property and limiting personal freedom.

Regrettably this has been the plight of most third world and developing countries. We are extremely fortunate that our political system allows the voice of the people through the power of the ballot box to determine who will take governmental power.

As it looks we are set for a people's instigated coup this fall as the popularity of liberal/progressive view and policies is about to be executed in a coup of public opinion. Thank goodness.